Norwegian heavyweight hangs up gloves after 6-3 career

The two-fight UFC veteran, who was released by the promotion after a January loss, told VG Nett in his home country of Norway that he has decided to call it a career – though he said he plans to continue in the sport as a coach and trainer.

“I have been uncertain for quite some time,” Einemo told VG Nett (loosely translated to English). “It is not easy to combine being a professional fighter abroad with family back home in Norway.”

Einemo (6-3, 0-2 UFC) signed with the UFC after a long absence from the sport. He was expected to get a stiff test in his return after more than four years away against Shane Carwin at UFC 131 last June. But Carwin was moved into a fight against Junior dos Santos when Brock Lesnar could not fight. Einemo instead was paired up with Dave Herman, who was also making his UFC debut. A back-and-forth slugfest ultimately resulted in Einemo losing by knockout, but he and Herman took home Fight of the Night honors at UFC 131 for their efforts.

Einemo returned in January at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis in Chicago. But he spent much of the fight being controlled by hometown favorite Mike Russow, who won a unanimous decision.

Einemo started his career in 2000, going 5-0 before suffering his first loss at Pride 31 in February 2006, a unanimous decision against Fabricio Werdum. That fight came after more than two years on the sidelines due to an infection. After a submission win over James Thompson in November 2006, Einemo disappeared from competition until his UFC 131 fight against Herman.